Tag: James Hennicker

I found a newspaper article on Trove.nal.gov.au from 1941, which writes about some of the names of pioneers in the North of South Australia. It mentions the names of James Heneker (in this article spelt Hennicker). I have recorded it word for word to keep the memories and wording used in those times.

From The Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895-1954)

Long Ago Names of the North

Dear Eleanor Barbour

The stories written to “The Chronicle” competition by various writers were interesting and they brought me many recollections. The one written by CE Roberts takes me back to the north. I remember Charley Roberts quite well. He was one of the old identities. I also remember Mr George Kite another of the old-timers. When I went North in 1879 the name of Roberts was well known in the Blinman district. I believe Charley was the driver of the mail from Blinman to Wooltana and Parachilna, somewhere about 1888 or 1889, or it may have been a year or so later we meet him on the road near Tea Tree Station. He was one that helped to blaze the trail through Pichi Richi and up through the Arkaba and the Wilpena Hills.

I remember the old hands leaving Scott’s Creek with their bullock teams making for the Blinman, which was then experiencing good times. I remember the Prosser Brothers, Thomas Spencer, the Popes, James Hennicker – the latter lost his waggons and their loads in a big flood that came down the Wonoka Creek. These teams travelled by road from Scott’s Creek – now called Dawesley – to the Blinman, which was well over 300 miles by road.

[I can’t be sure if the Thomas Spencer mentioned is a relative. James Heneker’s wife was Mary Ann Spencer, daughter of Joseph Spencer. Joseph and his wife had a son they called Thomas who was born in 1850. James Heneker was living in the Scott’s Creek area in 1850’s, so he would not have been one of the “old-timers” mentioned in the above article. So I am still unsure about this connection.

I have previously written a post on this blog dated 03 June 2014 with further information about James’ experiences with the Wonoka Creek Flood.